Volume 4, Chapter 16:
Light begins to illuminate the sky and daytime has emerged in the Ever After. Team RWBY were sleeping on mats in the living room, while the house owners were asleep in their proper rooms. Ruby was the first one awake and for a while as she stares at the chest with Crescent Rose in it.
CRASH!
Jaune: I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!
The crashing noise and Jaune's shouting woke everyone up as Jaune jumped over the gang and made his way outside.
Weiss: What was that?!
Jacques: Don't bother, kids. Just a small accident going around.
Pyrrha: However, for Jaune, it's more serious than it is. I'll go help.
Yang: We should go help too!
Jacques: I wouldn't worry too much but go right ahead.
The girls looked at each other uncertain but made their way out while Ruby only watched before looking back at the chest.
Jacques: You alright, miss?
Ruby: Huh? Oh! Yeah, just still waking up...
Few minutes later have passed as Team RWBY and Pyrrha made it to town with another surprise for Team RWBY: This town was all made out of paper.
Blake: Whoa...
Yang: Who makes a town out of paper?!
Blue Paper Pleaser: Hello. And Good Morning, Miss Arkos.
The girls looked down to see a small being that's also made out of paper and shaped like a star. These were the Paper Pleasers.
Pyrrha: *waves* Good Morning.
Blue Paper Pleaser: Welcome to our village. We hope that it pleases you. Would you be so kind as to tell us what you are so that we may serve you?
Ruby: Serve us?!
Weiss: Your town is on fire!
Blue Paper Pleaser: Oh...no. We are quite safe! We have our hero!
Cheers came from other Paper Pleasers as the girls look over to see Jaune with Juniper dumping buckets of water across the fiery houses and once again saving the day.
Blue Paper Pleaser: Hooray! Three cheers for the Rusted Knight and his white rabbit!
Jaune: Stop! Stop, there's water everywhere, you'll dissolve!
Yellow Paper Pleaser: Hello, water. How may I serve you?
Jaune: Stop that. *Picks them up* Ugh, I can't believe that almost happened. It's been ages since I missed the first fire.
Ruby: Do fires happen...often?
Jaune: Oh, everyday.
Yang: WHAT?!
Jaune: Oh, uh right, I guess, uh...introductions. These...are the Paper Pleasers. They're probably the most polite, most hospitable Afterans around. Because...that's their purpose. *sighs* When Alyx left me to die, Juniper found help, brought me to the Paper Pleasers, who got me back on my feet. They work all day, not just serving travelers, but serving the land they live on too. They beautify it, make it a place of peace. Unfortunately, they're...a bit clumsy, but that also makes them predictable. *Hands them rocks* Told you to hold these.
Green and Pink Paper Pleaser: Thank you, brave knight!
Jaune: *chuckles* Classic Ren.
Weiss: You named them...after your teammates?
Jaune: No, I named them after everybody.
Red Paper Pleaser: Hello! I am the one called Ruby. What are you?
Yang: Hate that! *shivers*
Jaune: Okay, the disastrous lighting of the morning lantern is dealt with. That gives us just enough time to strategize before the calming pebble tower crumbles, crushing the koi pond dam, and flooding the entire village! So I'm thinking...quick brunch?
Team RWBY were just completely lost at this point, not knowing what was going on at all until Pyrrha gave them a nod to go while her and Jacques would stay behind to help the Paper Pleasers.
Inside of the small huts, Jaune placed out a map of the Ever After with different destinations and pinpoints while the Tree having a huge X mark on it.
Jaune: Over the years before and after finding Pyrrha and Jacques, Juniper and I have been systematically exploring as many of the nearby acres as possible. If you think you've seen it all here, let me tell you...you haven't.
Blake: What exactly have you been looking for?
Jaune: Anyone or anything that might be able to take us back home.
Weiss: Okay...and, what have you found?
Jaune: Uh, so far? I mean, not much, but I got a really, really good feeling about this one acre we saw with a bunch of pyramids. Not to mention, not much here like to hear the word Time Lord since it refers to The Master.
Yang: Sorry, um...I'm just...trying to make sure I follow. Do you have any leads...at all? Any other plans?
Jaune: This...is the plan. Look, I- I'm sorry I didn't solve all our problems by myself, but...I- I can't just run off and let them die! But, between protecting the village, searching for you guys, searching for an exit...we've got a really tight schedule to keep. Or rather, you've got a tight schedule to keep.
Weiss: I beg your pardon?
Jaune: *pulls out a piece of paper* This is the schedule of catastrophes that befall the village everyday. Or, at least they would if it wasn't for me and Jun.
The girls all looked at the list and were just left completely baffled by all of this. This was more of a work schedule than an actual list of catastrophes. It didn't help one bit knowing that Jaune so far has had no luck.
Jaune: With this, you guys can save the day no problem, which means I can go out to keep searching without any interruptions. With Juniper's speed and my familiarity with this place, we'll find our solution in no time. Jaune: Guys...this is it! If there's one thing I've learned after all these years, it's that patience. Pays. Off. It's why we're finally back together! I know I can find us a way out, okay? I-I know it...I KNOW IT! *Slams fist on my hand and sighs*
Weiss: Jaune...*reaches to him*
Jaune: This isn't crazy...I'm not crazy...AHEM! This...isn't crazy, it's easy! You know, we still got time before the Pebble Tower falls. *Stands up* How 'bout I, uh...saddle up Juniper and show you around myself while Pyrrha and Jacques help around. Point out some of the clumsier Papers! *chuckles* Just wait till you guys meet Neptune! *Walks out*
Yang: Damnit, Jaune. This isn't a plan, it's a to do list.
Blake: He's obviously been through a lot...
Yang: Yeah…
Blake: We can be frustrated later. Right now, Jaune needs us. And we still need him. We just...can't count on him.
Weiss: Look, I'm not trying to be mean or bring offense to any of us and Jaune...but no one knows more and can handle all of this with ease like the Doctor. This sort of stuff for him is basic but for us, it drives us mad. With no one like the Doctor to help and Jaune...*sighs* Then who does that leave us with? It's obvious we need someone to guide us or we could end up thrown back in time, or killed by the tree, or worse...
Ruby: Well, if that's how everybody-
Purple Paper Pleaser: The Great Tree does not kill. That is what we keep trying to tell him. But our hero still insists that we never ascend.
Weiss: What?
Purple Paper Pleaser: I do not wish to be rude, but our work has been completed for quite some time. Because of us, the land is beautiful, but we have realized that like ourselves, it is also very delicate. We would like to make something that is pleasing, but also resilient. Because of this, we are ready to leave ourselves and merge with the Tree, so that it might return us as something new. But...our hero is displeased by this course of action. We tried reaching out to the Tree, but our hero forbade it. Then, the wisest of our village suggested breaking from our physical forms, so that the winds may carry us back to the Tree. But our hero is clever and brave, always keeping us from harm. You must understand, the Tree does not kill, it resurrects and rebuilds. We do not wish to displease our hero, and I hope I have not displeased you, but… we so desperately wish to return to the Tree, to return home, so that we may carry on with our work.
Yang: Return home, huh?
Purple Paper Pleaser: Oh, do not be sad! The wisest are going to topple the Pebble Tower today! I am sure it will work this time. Plus, Miss Arkos and Mr. Tyler have been secretly helping in making sure all is secured.
Weiss: I see. The question is what makes you so sure it'll work?
Purple Paper Pleaser: Nothing! *Walks away*
Yang: That's so sad. Weird, but sad.
Blake: But it also means Jaune might not be totally right about the Tree. It's not Death, it's...Rebirth.
Weiss: From a certain perspective, maybe. But...What happened to Lewis then? Jaune said-
Yang: Jaune wasn't there. The Cat wasn't even there! None of us know the full story and we'll never learn anything, babysitting these villagers! We have to convince Jaune to let them go.
Weiss: But how? He's clearly not...all there.
Jaune: Is that what you think?...
Weiss gasped and closed her eyes in a painful motion as they all looked back to see Jaune looking at them with a hurtful expression before walking away...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
In the clear bright skies of Vacuo, a large Vacuo ship arrives and lands down to the pinpoint location of where Cybermen have been detected. It happened to be an empty factory that looks abandoned for so many years. Approaching the old factor were the four Maidens, Team ROME which was temporarily Ren, Oscar, Marrow, and Emerald, Qrow, Shalka, Dalek Khan, and the Doctor. Back in UNIT HQ, Willow and Theodore were watching from the screens of the map and multiple POV cameras.
Willow: Doctor, give us some insight.
The Doctor: Khan and I have scanned the place. There is heavy detection of Cybermen but something feels very off about this.
Winter: What is it?
The Doctor: Unless they are underground, Cybermen would have detected us from the moment we were arriving. They could have come out to attack us or even send some of the Cyber Grimms after us.
Emerald: Are you asking for a death wish?
The Doctor: Believe me, I know my answer to that. OKAY! Anything can happen from here, don't expect a walk in the park either. We all know the plan and formations: The Maidens will accompany me inside while the rest of you will surround the area for other entrances and watch out for any Cybermen.
Oscar: Got it!
Qrow: How can you be so sure it's also not a trap for the four Maidens?
The Doctor: Only I know that, Qrow. I am after all a man of many mysteries. Khan and Shalka, you two will be the heavy armory. Both will come with us but one of you stays on top while the other comes down with us.
Shalka: Understood.
Dalek Khan: We must be ready for anything.
And with that, the plan was now in motion as the groups split up while the main group of the Doctor moved forward and carefully entered the factory with the four Maidens. Both him and Dalek Khan detected something unusual as they made their way inside.
The Doctor: You're getting this too, right Khan?
Dalek Khan: We must be very careful.
Sora: What is it?
The Doctor: The Cybermen detection is right in here. There's no underground factory at all...something isn't adding up.
Winter: A trap?
Nora: An ambush?
The Doctor: Both yet...none...
Raven: You are not making any sense.
The Doctor: This is all looking wrong. Why aren't the Cybermen detecting us or even now, they would have done something. Let's carefully dig deeper. Shalka, change of plans; We'll need you to follow us and see if you happen to detect anything suspicious.
Outside of the factory, the second group of Team ROME and Qrow inspected the place as it happened to be halfway crumbling but they saw no sign of Cybermen. All they found was rusty metals, disassembled factory parts and some gooey silver fluid dripping from different parts.
Emerald: Gross...
Marrow: It's too quiet and this doesn't look right at all.
Qrow: Are you saying this factory was probably still running by those machines before they just disappeared?
Marrow: No...I don't know actually...but this fluid...for starters isn't from the factory itself.
Willow: You've seen this fluid before?
Marrow: Yeah...these are fluids that were inside of the Cyber Grimms...
Suspicion and worry grew even more by this eerie setting of the factory with no sign of any Cybermen at all so many were still wondering why their signal was detected. As the first group got deeper into the factory, they were also met with dripping grey fluids all around and some already in puddles on the ground.
The Doctor: No one touches it. You got that?
Nora: Copy!
Raven: What the hell is that?
Dalek Khan: Cybernetic Fluid...
The Doctor: This is wrong...this isn't for us...
Willow: We are getting the same report of Cybernetic Fluids outside the factory/
Nora: Doctor!
Shalka: We have found something!
All eyes went towards Shalka and Nora that found what looked to be some kind of radio with walkie talkies and antennas around it. Someone or Something was trying to communicate to the outer world.
The Doctor: Willow, can you give me a full transcript of nearby communication attempts around Vacuo?
Willow: Whitley is already working on it!
Pulling out his Sonic Screwdriver, the Doctor tries to readjust the systems of the radio to give it a boost and find any clues as to why it's in here and what exactly is this factory.
Back outside at the same time, Team ROME finds a trail of cybernetic fluid as they follow it, worrying that they are going to see something they will not like.
Marrow: There is...massive puddle of this fluid and there's a trail to it as well...
Theodore: Be very careful. We still don't know if this is a trap.
A couple more seconds and the radio begin to work once again but is only releasing static noises from it. As the Doctor continues to adjust it more to get it working better, Nora and Sora both walk a little further as the Fall and Summer Maidens both spot more of the Cybernetic fluid on the floor...and on the walls...
Sora: This...isn't what we're expecting...
Seven—six—eleven—five—nine-an'-twenty mile to-day —
Four—eleven—seventeen—thirty-two the day before —
(Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again!)
There's no discharge in the war!
Winter: What is that?...
Raven: It sounds...so eerie...
The Doctor: It's a poem...eerie alright...
Don't—don't—don't—don't—look at what's in front of you.
(Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again);
Men—men—men—men—men go mad with watchin' em,
An' there's no discharge in the war!
Nora: DOCTOR!
Nora's scream caught everyone's attention as they made a run for where she was while the poem playing on the radio continues. Outside, Team ROME alongside Qrow get closer to where the fluid is leaking, only to see many structured pipes around it. Tension and chills were creeping up on them, worried about what it'll lead them to.
Try—try—try—try—to think o' something different —
Oh—my—God—keep—me from goin' lunatic!
(Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again!)
There's no discharge in the war!
The Winter and Spring Maidens alongside the Doctor all arrive to where Nora was heard screaming as both her and Sora were completely frozen at seeing something ahead. When they all saw it, they all frozen completely it even shook the Ice Warrior and the Dalek.
Count—count—count—count—the bullets in the bandoliers.
If—your—eyes—drop—they will get atop o' you!
(Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again) —
There's no discharge in the war!
Team ROME and Qrow got closer to the structured pipes and took a look in between them and their eyes widened as their bodies froze as well completely, pale at the horrific sight in front of them.
We—can—stick—out—'unger, thirst, an' weariness,
But—not—not—not—not the chronic sight of 'em —
Boot—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again,
An' there's no discharge in the war!
At UNIT HQ, everyone watched in complete horror and disgust at what was being grabbed from the different POVs. They knew the process of becoming a Cybermen was already horrifying but this was something else...something much more terrifying...some fainted...some puked...and some stood there all pale at this.
'Taint—so—bad—by—day because o' company,
But night—brings—long—strings—o' forty thousand million
Boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again.
There's no discharge in the war!
Sora: Doctor...what the actual hell...
The Doctor: I was right...this was a trap and an ambush...but not for us...
All eyes inside the factory and outside saw ripped apart, dismantled, disfigured Cybermen everywhere. Parts removed, pieces ripped off, and fluids spilling all over...
It was a slaughterhouse of the Cybermen but only painful images of those who were once human came to mind as well as Winter and Sora helped Nora move away from this drenching sight...
I—'ave—marched—six—weeks in 'Ell an' certify
It—is—not—fire—devils, dark, or anything,
But boots—boots—boots—boots—movin' up an' down again,
An' there's no discharge in the war!
Cybermen bodies everywhere and Cyber Grimms outside in the structured pipes as Team ROME and Qrow had to look away from this. All were ripped apart like if zombies crawled towards them and ripped them to shred. The Doctor looked back at Dalek Khan and Shalka who looked at him with the same concern in mind by this sight.
The Doctor: What could've done this?...
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Weiss: Jaune, Wait!
Yang: But what if the Cat was telling the truth? Maybe not about everything, but about the Tree!
Jaune: The Tree is the last thing you should listen to them about. Th-They're just doing what they're designed to do. They don't care what happens when you get there!
Blake: We're not listening to them! We're listening to the Afterans. And they're telling us the Tree is nothing to be afraid of, that they want to go!
Jaune: They don't know what they want. You've seen the way they act, nothing here is that straightforward, okay? Afterans are all either too clever, too stupid, or too crazy to trust!
Pyrrha: Jaune...you've done so much here and for these beings but they have a point. You can't hold them back on finding a way out of here especially you.
Jaune: I'm Not!
Weiss: Then why do you care so much about this village?!
Jaune: *tearfully* Because I can actually PROTECT these people!
The girls all looked at Jaune and understood his situation now. Just like them, he has also been through so much and they never noticed it nor talked to him about it. Weiss closed her eyes thinking back to Penny's final moments and what Jaune had to do. She looked over at Ruby who also had a numb, soulless expression for a while and Weiss wanted to reach out to her as well.
Weiss: *sighs* Look, we can figure all of this out and come up with a proper solution that both sides can agree. But first, Ruby...Jaune...I know there's alot going on for the both of you and we need to fix that first before-
BOOM! CRASH!
The loud crashing noise was loud as they all looked at where it came from...only to see the house of Jaune, Pyrrha, and Jacques destroyed by a swarm of Jabblewalkers, causing massive panic among the Paper Pleasers.
For the gang, it was go time.
Jabberwalkers: Scouring…Searching…Stalking…
Jaune: *sighs* They found us...I am not letting them down!
Pyrrha: Let's Go!
Yang: If those Walkers make it down here, those Afterans will never ascend!
Weiss: Then we won't run this time. Plus...*display my wings* I have a vengeance against them.
Jacques: Guess it's time to try to see if this thing can keep up.
The girls looked over to Jacques who put down a large basket and pulled out a Cybermen blaster just like the ones they have in Remnant. He activated it and it was fully charged up with 5 long rounds.
Blake: That's...a Cybermen gun...
Jacques: Grabbed one from a fallen Cyberman and used it to destroy a few and lure the others away before falling here. Question now is does it still work?
Yang: Let's find out. *Readies Ember Celica*
The entire group charged towards the Jabblewalkers while Ruby only watched with so much doubt and her mind completely blocked. She struggled to pull out Crescent Rose but decided to follow her team.
Weiss approached two Jabblewalkers as they used her glyphs to impale one with sharp icicles then grabbed the other using her Time Angel powers and vaporized it to thin air.
Blake and Yang get some combo moves in finishing off one Jabblewalker before both go separate ways to fight off the others. One Jabblewalker was close to ripping a paper pleaser until a massive blast blew its entire upper body to ashes. This came from the Cybermen weapon that was now in Jacques's hands.
Jacques: GO! NOW!
Yang: Stay focused!
Riding Juniper was both Jaune and Pyrrha as Lady Rusted Knight takes a giant leap onto one of the Jabblewalkers in bull riding style while Juniper pounces another one and for Jaune to decapitate it.
The heroes were doing there part in preventing these creatures from attacking the Paper Pleasers. All but one battled one as she could only watch with her mind still blocked: Ruby.
Jabberwalker: Missed...Hating...Thinking...Waiting...Wanting...Drooling...
Ruby got startled immediately and turned around to see a Jabblewalker slowly approaching her, preying on her while she struggled to get Crescent Rose ready.
Little: RUBY!
Jabberwalker: Craving...Tasting...Wanting...Hating...
As Ruby readied her weapon, she was immediately tackled and pinned by the Jabblewalker as it shape shifted its own head to the various nightmares of the people that haunt Ruby's Soul: Cinder Fall, Salem, and lastly...Penny...
Jabberwalker: YES! READY! STARVING! TAKING!
The creature opened its big mouth with razor teeth that could slice anything in ONE CHOMP! Ready to eat her alive as Ruby struggled to move away and was giving in to being eaten by this creature, the nightmares plaguing her mind...
Yang: RUBY!
The Jabblewalker looked up as it was met by double firing from Yang, One arm sliced by Blake, The other sliced by Weiss, A hole blasted in its center by Jacques, and a decapitation finished by both Jaune and Pyrrha; Finishing off the creature for good.
Yang: *helps Ruby up* Are you okay?
Blake: There's one more!
All eyes turn back to the Jabblewalker as it stood on the hill above, twitching but not approaching before a bring, pink light changes the creature to Neopolitan herself. Team RWBY and Jaune watched in anger at her sight before Neo pointed at Ruby with a finger gun and signaled a gunshot before vanishing as well.
Weiss: So it was Neopolitan after all...
Yang: But that's...Those were more than just her usual tricks. They eat, and grow, and...How had she gotten so powerful?
Jaune: *grunts* Well, she didn't do it by standing around. *Picks up Crescent Rose* I know you may not care about protecting this village, but you could at least help your friends when they're in dang-
Ruby saw her weapon and instantly flinched back as Crescent Rose drops to the ground. Everyone looked at her with worried expression by this sudden change by Ruby. This worried Yang the most as she approached her little sister but Ruby moved back as well...
Yang: Ruby? Are you o-?
A loud rumbling noise was heard from the town of the Paper Pleasers until Jaune caught an eye of the rock tower swaying back and forth. The Paper Pleasers were trying to drop it and bring in the water wave.
Jaune: Oh no, no, no! What time is it?! NO!
Jaune tried to run over and stop it but was held back by both Pyrrha and Jacques who held him tight as he struggled to free himself. The girls could only watch as more conflicting chaos ensued.
Pyrrha: JAUNE! PLEASE!
Jaune: LET ME GO!
Jacques: THERE'S NOTHING ELSE WE CAN DO, BOY! It has to happen.
Jaune: *horrified* NOOOOOOO!
The Rock Tower falls, crashing onto the paper dam as water comes through and floods the entire town with the Paper Pleasers cheering on before disappearing and dissolving in the water. Jaune finally freed himself but it was already too late as he collapsed to his knees at the flooded town in front of them.
Blake: Oh Jaune...
Jaune: I couldn't save them... I was supposed to save them and...and they're dead...*looks down*
Pyrrha: *puts my hand on his shoulder* I'm sorry Jaune...They had to go...
Yang: No, Jaune. They're gone, but they're not dead. They'll be back.
Weiss: Yeah, it's what they wanted. Right, Ruby?
Weiss looked over but her eyes softened in concern as the Ruby she knew and cared for wasn't there at the moment. Ruby had a rare look that she never expressed before, a venomous, anger expression.
Ruby: Why are you asking me?
Blake: Um, we just-
Ruby: Because I'm the leader? *Clenches fist* Because I'm just supposed to have something to say? *looks up angrily* Cuz I don't...I mean, why do I have to be the leader anyway? Why do I have to always be the one to pick people up? What about me? "No time", right? *Approaches Weiss* "Gotta get home!" "Gotta help Jaune!" "Gotta stop the Doctor from dying!" Gotta find someone who isn't just going to screw everything up! *Walks to Blake and Yang* "Gotta stay positive!" Right?! Smiles all around! Maybe even finally get our feelings sorted out! Good for you, by the way. We're all so happy for you!
Yang: That's Enough Ruby!
Ruby: I'm sorry, is this a bad time? Are we supposed to be mourning Jaune's make-believe friends?!
Jaune: They're gone...because of you! *Stands up* The Walkers came for you, because Neo. Hates. YOU! *Walks over to Ruby* Oh, and let's not forget the reason we're in the Ever After in the first place is because of your plan that didn't work! What about you?! IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU!
Ruby could only glare at Jaune with tears appearing from her eyes filled with anger and heartbreak as Jaune could only look down at Ruby filled with rage.
Pyrrha: JAUNE!
Jaune: I'm sorry, I...I know I'm not okay. I- I'm not right, but...How am I supposed to be?... I've been at this...for SO LONG! Here...On that bridge...I was the only one that could do it! I was the ONLY ONE! *Tears up and covers my face* And I...And now I have to live with that forever...In here or back home...
There was silence but there was also so much negativity around especially coming from Jaune and Ruby. All their frustrations let out at each other and everyone else, it was simply too much...
Jacques: A lot has happened and...we all need to take some breathers to get ourselves back in good mind.
Blake: Yeah. I know things are bad, but-
Ruby: Blake...Shut...Up...
Weiss, Blake, Yang, and Jaune look at Ruby wide-eyed shocked by this silent outburst of a response. This was way worse. Ruby was far from okay, far from being sad...for she has hit a low point...
Ruby: Don't...do that... *tears fall* Just don't...
She turned around immediately before Yang can reach out to her and used her semblance to run away into the deep forests. Yang tried to run and catch up but she never had a chance as tears began to fall from Yang's eyes as well.
Yang: RUBY! RUBY!
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Looking at the stars of the recently night sky in Atlas, Penny only watched as she patiently waited for the clock to soon turn midnight which was when Doctor Simm would head off for the night and turn off all the cameras and motion alerts. She looked down to see a small transcript of a possible second floor in this facility that supposedly leads to an Atlas ship that he and Tyrian stole before chaos ensued.
Everything she believed from Doctor Simm has now been questionable and has lost faith in him. Her trust for him was in doubt despite the care he's given to her. Then again, his charred state did bother her especially as to how he's been alive like that.
Penny: *breathes* So much is happening...*looks out* But it's time...
Penny looked over at the clock as it was now past midnight and she headed over to the door, quietly opening it, and looking over to Doctor Simm's office with a huge sigh of relief as the lights were now out, meaning he was off for the night. She quietly made her way out of the room, closing the door quietly, and now heading over to the patients' room where Mercury Black was waiting for her.
That was another thing that put her trust for Doctor Simm in doubt. To find out that one of these covered up patients was Mercury Black made her wonder what truly happened and was she going to end up covered like them. She made it to the room and quietly made her way in as she approached Mercury Black, quietly tapping him.
Penny: *whispers* Hey!
Mercury: *looks up and taps my keyboard* Were you caught? Is he asleep?
Penny: *taps the keyboard* No. I got here successfully. He was dome for the night when I got out.
Mercury: *taps again* Then let's go. The sooner the better you get out of here.
Penny: You have to come. It's too dangerous for you and who knows what he will do to you if he finds out.
Mercury: I am already a wanted criminal all over Remnant. I am near death in this state. I have nothing left. The best I can do is for once make things right and have you survive.
Penny bit her lip before nodding to Mercury as she slowly helped him out as the two began to make their way out of the room. Sneaking out of the room in silence and pulling out the directions to the secret second floor, Penny and Mercury began to walk towards the secret floor.
But unbeknownst to the both of them, all the patients in that room turned their heads towards the exit as loud stomping noises approached from the shadows as well with two large figures watching as well...